IMLA at IMO HTW 7
The 7th Session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Human Factors, Training and Watch (HTW 7) was held from 15 to 19 February 2021. Nearly 300 participants from Member States and international organizations attended the remote meeting at the special time. The session was chaired by Ms. Mayte Medina (United States).
The HTW 7 Session discussed the critical issues brought by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Participants explored potential measures to be taken to alleviate the adverse effects on seafarers. Digitalization of certificates and documents of seafarers; training quality issues; and measures to facilitate mandatory seagoing service under the Convention were addressed at the session. The STCW Parties gave a sufficient review on the challenges faced in the implementation of the STCW Convention and discussed the so called “white list” of Parties to reflect the current status. This has paved way for the wok on this area at the next comprehensive review of the Convention.
As an NGO in consultative status with IMO, IMLA was represented at the meeting by a delegation headed by Chair Prof. Yongxing Jin. Among other topics, the issue of medical training for seafarers was of particular interest to the IMLA delegates who actively contributed its views on supporting appropriate training to improve health and well-being of seafarers.
